Occupational Respiratory Diseases

Could your job be making you sick? For too many workers, that's a real danger. The air they breathe on the job is a health hazard.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), occupationally related airway diseases (Read about "Respiratory System"), including asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), pose a significant public health threat. (Read about "Asthma" "Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease") CDC says nearly 30 percent of COPD and adult asthma may be attributable to occupational exposure and more than 20 million U.S. workers are exposed to substances that can cause airway diseases.

Asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (primarily chronic bronchitis and emphysema) are diseases of the lung airways. CDC says both diseases can be brought on by exposure to irritants in the workplace. In addition, many workers are unaware that pre-existing asthma and COPD may be worsened by the work environment.

On-the-job hazards

What kind of irritants are we talking about? Here are some examples, compiled from CDC, the American Lung Association (ALA) and the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP):

• Asbestos was commonly used as an insulator and fire retardant until scientists discovered that asbestos fibers are deadly, potentially causing asbestosis (scarring of lung tissues) and lung cancer. (Read about "Lung Cancer") Workers most at risk of asbestos exposure include those in mining, construction, demolition, shipyards, tiling, electrical insulation and paving, among other industries. ALA says it can be years between exposure to asbestos and development of symptoms.
• Dust can come from such things as wood, cotton, coal, asbestos, silica and talc. ALA says dusts from textile processing cause byssinosis ("brown lung"), a chronic condition involving obstruction of the small airways. Coal dust causes coal workers' pneumoconiosis or "black lung," also an obstruction of the small airways. Silica affects workers in mines, foundries, blasting operations, and stone, glass and clay manufacturing.
• Fumes can be given off by metals that are heated and cooled quickly, according to AAFP. Examples of jobs that involve exposure to such fumes are welding, smelting, furnace work, pottery making, plastics manufacture and rubber operations.
• Toxins found in various grains are a risk for hundreds of thousands of agricultural workers. Moldy hay can produce flu-like symptoms, according to AAFP. (Read about "Mold Allergies") Farm workers are also at risk of exposure to hair, feathers, animal dander and bacteria. (Read about "Animal Dander" "Farm Safety" "Microorganisms")
• Anthrax is caused by the bacterium Bacillus anthracis. It most commonly occurs in hoofed mammals such as sheep, cattle, horses and goats. Farm workers, veterinarians and those who work tanning hides or processing wool are at risk of contracting the disease by inhaling spores of the bacterium. In addition to inhaled anthrax, there is also a skin form of anthrax. (Read about "Biological Health Threats")
• Gases such as formaldehyde, ammonia and chlorine, can be found in jobs where chemical reactions occur and in jobs with high heat operations, such as welding and furnace work.
• Vapors can be given off by solvents, and usually irritate the nose and throat first, before they affect the lungs, according to AAFP.
• Paints, lacquers, hair spray, pesticides, cleaning products, acids and solvents can also cause damage to the airways.
• Latex allergies have become a major problem for healthcare workers, as a result of increased use of protective gloves. CDC says studies show that over one in fifty healthcare workers have developed latex-related asthma. (Read about "Latex Allergy")
• Mold can trigger allergic reactions, and is a problem for farmers, dairy workers, mill workers and carpenters. (Read about "Mold Allergies")
• Exposure to animals may induce the development of allergies to animal dander or excretions. (Read about "Animal Dander")

If someone is exposed to carcinogens or irritants at work, smoking can make things much worse. ALA says smokers who are exposed to such carcinogens as asbestos and radiation, greatly increase their chances of getting lung cancer and other lung diseases. (Read about "Quit Smoking")

Symptoms

Exposure to any of the above substances can produce a wide range of symptoms. These can range from a runny nose and scratchy throat, to bronchitis, persistent cough, fever and problems breathing. AAFP says that if a worker develops unusual symptoms after switching to a new job, for example, or after being at a particular job for a while, this could indicate a work-related disorder. In addition, if someone develops asthma for the first time as an adult, it could be related to something at their job. Asthma symptoms include wheezing, a persistent dry cough or trouble breathing. Emphysema is another condition that can develop after exposure to workplace dangers, including coal, asbestos or silica dust. Symptoms include cough, fatigue, chest tightness and difficulty breathing.

If you suspect a work-related respiratory condition, it's important to talk with your doctor. You should also start keeping a written record of things you notice about your condition, according to AAFP, including:

• when symptoms started
• how often they occur
• if they get worse or better at certain times of the day or on certain days
• what potential hazards you may be exposed to at work, as well as what precautions you have been told to follow when around these hazards
• what days and shifts you work and how these relate to the way you feel

You can also talk with other workers to see if they're experiencing unusual symptoms, as well as your supervisors. Depending on the type of exposure, solutions can include more ventilation as well as changes in work practices and/or machinery. It's also important that anyone who is concerned about lung exposure quit smoking if they haven't already done so.

Related Information:

    Respiratory System

    Quit Smoking

    Asthma

    Allergies

    Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

    Cancer: What It Is

    Sore Throat

    Glossary of Respiratory Terms